11 Superintendent Battle Arrives
11 Superintendent Battle Arrives So apprehensive was Lord Caterham of being consulted by George that he spent the whole morning making a tour of his estate. Only the pangs of hunger drew him homeward. He also reflected that by now the worst would surely be over. He sneaked into the house quietly by a small […]
10 Chimneys
10 Chimneys Inspector Badgworthy in his office. Time, 8.30 a.m. A tall portly man, Inspector Badgworthy, with a heavy regulation tread. Inclined to breathe hard in moments of professional strain. In attendance Constable Johnson, very new to the Force, with a downy unfledged look about him, like a human chicken. The telephone on the table […]
9 Anthony Disposes of a Body
9 Anthony Disposes of a Body Anthony followed Virginia out of the room, smiling a little to himself. Events had taken quite an unexpected turn. But as he bent over the figure in the chair he grew grave again. “He’s still warm,” he said sharply. “He was killed less than half an hour ago.” “Just […]
8 A Dead Man
8 A Dead Man On that same Thursday afternoon Virginia Revel had been playing tennis at Ranelagh. All the way back to Pont Street, as she lay back in the long, luxurious limousine, a little smile played upon her lips, as she rehearsed her part in the forthcoming interview. Of course it was within the […]
7 Mr. McGrath Refuses an Invitation
7 Mr. McGrath Refuses an Invitation The letters were gone! Having once made up his mind to the fact of their disappearance, there was nothing to do but accept it. Anthony realized very well that he could not pursue Giuseppe through the corridors of the Blitz Hotel. To do so was to court undesired publicity, […]
6 The Gentle Art of Blackmail
6 The Gentle Art of Blackmail It was exactly five minutes to four when Virginia Revel, rendered punctual by a healthy curiosity, returned to the house in Pont Street. She opened the door with her latchkey, and stepped into the hall to be immediately confronted by the impassive Chilvers. “I beg pardon, ma’am, but a—a […]
5 First Night in London
5 First Night in London There is often a flaw in the best-laid plans. George Lomax had made one mistake—there was a weak spot in his preparations. The weak spot was Bill. Bill Eversleigh was an extremely nice lad. He was a good cricketer and a scratch golfer, he had pleasant manners, and an amiable […]
4 Introducing a Very Charming Lady
4 Introducing a Very Charming Lady George Lomax returned straightway to Whitehall. As he entered the sumptuous apartment in which he transacted affairs of State, there was a scuffling sound. Mr. Bill Eversleigh was assiduously filing letters, but a large arm-chair near the window was still warm from contact with a human form. A very […]
3 Anxiety in High Places
3 Anxiety in High Places “Quite so, my dear fellow, quite so,” said Lord Caterham. He had used the same words three times already, each time in the hope that they would end the interview and permit him to escape. He disliked very much being forced to stand on the steps of the exclusive London […]
2 A Lady in Distress
2 A Lady in Distress “So that’s that,” said Anthony, finishing off his glass and replacing it on the table. “What boat were you going on?” “Granarth Castle.” “Passage booked in your name, I suppose, so I’d better travel as James McGrath. We’ve outgrown the passport business, haven’t we?” “No odds either way. You and […]